TIFF: That's a Wrap!

The red carpets are all rolled up and put away through the streets of Toronto after an incredible 11-day run with over 300 films and countless star-studded events. But there's one last show left, the Cadillac People's Choice Awards to commemorate TIFF winners for favourite film, favourite midnight madness film and favourite doc. 

BELL LIGHTBOX

The 35th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival was a transition year, marked by the opening of the new Bell Lightbox in the heart of Toronto's Entertainment district. As the city moved South to it's new TIFF King Street location, visitors were awe-struck by the state-of-the-art screening facility. It's a place to take in culture, soak up society and to see and be seen from day to dinner. This photo was snapped while stepping out of the Cadillac for a premiere gala opening at the TIFF lightbox.

Dress & Accessories by Pam Chorley's Fashion Crimes

The Boss

The Boss arrives in a black Cadillac for the Gala TIFF premiere of "The Promise: Making of the Darkness on the Edge of Town".

CFC BBQ

Norman Jewison's annual Canadian Film Centre BBQ is always one of my favourite TIFF parties. A gathering in celebration of film in Canada is rare and much deserved, the guests are all fabulous & in the biz with lots of news to share, and the casual vibe of the daytime BBQ is a nice break from all the razzle & dazzle of the nighttime events. I sported my paint-splattered dress by NADA designs for the occasion.

I bumped into producer Justin Levine of Stardust Pictures, and actors David Phillips & Jefferson Brown - whom I all worked with on Shark City. It was a joyous reunion! Justin was in from LA and has been working on several new projects, notably a Kate Bosworth film coming soon.

Here we are, horsing around after downing some Licks hamburgers.

I had the great honour to speak with Slawko Klymkiw about the importance of the Canadian Film Centre and shook hands with Academy award winning writer and director Paul Haggis to congratulate him on the present and forward-looking success of the CFC.

Artists for Peace and Justice

Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser was a swanky TIFF fête all for Haitian relief. The event boasted a star-studded line-up to support the APJ cause, including Paul Haggis, James Franco, AnnaLynne McCord, Martin Sheen, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Robertson, George Stroumboulopoulos, Lisa Tant & Rachel McAdams.

realTVfilms Gifting Lounge

Some serious swag was had at the realTVfilms social media & gifting lounge right down the street from the Filmmakers Lounge. The amazing team straight from LA opened their doors to Toronto International Film Festival VIPs to be pampered in their relaxing lounge, offering an abundance of gifts and services -- including a masseuse, hair & makeup artists, satiating food & beverage, and even eyelash extensions, a unique Japanese turned celebrity beauty trend.

The hi-lite of my guided tour was choosing a new pair of frames from Les Pieces Uniques. (Seeing as David Cronenberg dug my glasses so much, I figure what better time but now to add to my collection.)  The Italian line exudes quality & elegant face-flattering designs.

Choosing my new frames from Les Pieces Uniques

To end my tour, I was interviewed by the lovely Samantha Gutstadt and treated like a real VIP with a mini photo shoot. I'm glad I chose to wear my go-to chic & ultra-comfy dress by Nada Designs for the unexpected photo opp! I left feeling refreshed and ready to take on another glamorous night of TIFF.

Photo Opp at realTVfilms gifting lounge, wearing Psalms 9:11 Accessories and dress by: Nada Designs

Alliance Films Party

Tonight we talked with Lennox Lewis, Rachel Blanchard, and Liane Balaban, to name a few. This all went down at the Alliance Films party on the red carpet to celebrate their 2010 TIFF line-up of movies. rock-it promotions has a rep for putting together the hottest parties in Toronto, and they certainly dazzled us again, this time with their star-studded list of notable invitees, check out our Festival Insider coverage:

HI-LITE of my week - Martin Sheen teaches me the Laurence Fishburne handshake

At the Artists for Peace and Justice Toronto fundraiser, Martin Sheen teaches me the handshake he learned from Laurence Fishburne:

Opening Night

The crowd was going wild at Roy Thompson Hall as the puck dropped for the face-off of the Toronto International Film Festival. One of the first films to hit the silver screen at TIFF was Canadian, and very appropriately, it was all about hockey, and interestingly, it was... a musical -- called "Score! A Hockey Musical", the story of a young phemon hockey player who gets discovered overnight. The film features stars such as Nelly Furtado, George Stroumboulopoulos and ... wait for it ...  Olivia Newton-John! So Grease Lightening is the word, keep an eye out for her loving portrayal of the hockey mom when the flick hits cinemas later this year. 





Accessories: MICALLA jewelry & design 
Video courtesy of: Cadillac Festival Insider

NY Times Canadian Photo Archive Exhibit @ TORO Film Industry Lounge

'Twas the first night of TIFF and all through the party the vibe was a-rockin'! Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises) came out in support of his daughter, photographer Caitlin Cronenberg, for the her private preview display of RED-the NY Times Canadian Photo Archive Exhibit.

David takes an interest in wearing my glasses, we strike a pose:

Jewlery by MICALLA jewelry & design with David Cronenberg (left) 

It was a chilly evening, so I was thrilled to have on-hand for opening night my most-adored "Evening Jacket" by Sarah Stevenson Designs. Here is a photo snapped while sharing stories with Kenny (from Kenny vs. Spenny) and Justin "R-Rated" Rego from The Bachelorette.

Caught eating poutine while catching up with pop star Danny Fernandes, he's releasing a new album soon...!

And here's a moment with the belle of the ball, Caitlin Cronenberg herself!

Wearing "Evening Jacket" by  Sarah Stevenson Design with Caitlin Cronenberg (left)

TIFF-Land, opening soon...

TIFF-land in Toronto is the most exciting time of year. The whole energy of the city changes, and all the sudden you've got the hippest destination spot in the world -- a combination of New York, LA, Int'l & beyond. And it's all here in the safety and comfort of our beautiful Canada. The Toronto International Film Festival is the most talked about film fest across the globe, and it's getting bigger and bigger every year. 

Above: the famous Bell Lightbox is almost ready for the great unveiling on Sunday September 11th. It took eight years to build and $196 million. This will be the new home for the festival. The new locale is a stretch from the posh, polished & swanky Yorkville, but King Street is in the heart of downtown Toronto, and no doubt the hub of our city's theatre, film, clubland, restaurant and over-all entertainment action. 

The Cadillac Festival Insider  blog is up and running, so we got together today to shoot some pre-TIFF segments. I decided to wear one of my new go-to pieces, the Shift Dress with Art Nouveau print by Sarah Stevenson. It's 100% silk, my favorite, feels so luxe. Sarah is an up and coming Canadian designer, her designs are so elegant and feminine, and totally wearable. Her signature silk dresses feel like a second skin. 

"Shift Dress" by Sarah Stevenson 

You can follow my TIFF adventures on my Twitter & FestivalInsider's Twitter. 

INSIDE JOB - TIFF2010 - Thursday Sep 9

TIFF 2010 begins this Thursday September 9th.

MOVIE: INSIDE JOB Thurs Sep 9th Ryerson; 9pm

INSIDE JOB - Tells the great reveal of the underbelly workings of the

Financial Crisis that ensued in our generation's great economic

meltdown of 2008. Add some star appeal with narration by

Matt Damon, and what we get is a dazzling and gritty tell-all of the

private games & shocking interlocking evidence between the government,

the investment banks and the top dog top Wall Street earners who

(inadvertently?) set out to take money from the average investor.

FASHION WEEK TORONTO

MY WRAP-UPs of FASHION WEEK TORONTO 2009, SHOW LOVE:

BEST PARTY-DRESS
Who: Andy-The-Anh

What: Once again, the Montreal darling sets up those hourglass dresses, influenced by the Bold & the Beautiful

The Look: The sexy silhouette of a perfume-bottle. The colour combos sweet and feminine.

BE: An over dressed Montreal gurl at the next Toronto shindig.

BEST HIGH-STREET LOOK

Who: Nada

What: Nada Shepherd sets a utopian technotronic future with lots of PVC leggings to the tunes of Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" and mash-ups from Fritz Helder & The Phantoms.

The Look: A cold and confident combo: stretch leather juxtaposed with ruffled fabrics and delicate made-to-layer frocs.

BE: An Alpha Femme, unaffected by emotions.

BEST OUTERWEAR

Who: Lundström

What: Linda Lundström and her signature Canadian coats. After filing for bankruptcy, she re-branded and re-loaded with gorgeous showstopping fur-lined coats. Complete with cuffs, belts and headpieces.

The Look: Luscious Snow Princess.

BE: A true Canadian doll staring fearlessly in the face of -30C weather.

BRITNEY'S NEW VID

She does it again!
Gotta love Britney's new vid "If U Seek Amy". It's this crazy party scene, looking all suspect, and at exactly 1:00min into the vid you catch a glimpse of her GORGEOUS Christian Louboutin for Phillip Lim S/S 09 heels!

I wonder what this video is all about?

Who is Amy?

Is Amy Brit's alter ego? (a la beyonce pulling a sasha fierce?) or is Amy Brit's new lover (a la Loho meets Ronson?) or could it simply be the cookie-cutter perfect housewife that Brit thinks her fans are seeking but just can't deliver (as seen in the last min of the vid, Brit morphs into a scary Betty Crocker type housewife complete with dark roots) Brit we love you no matter, especially when you're sporting those hot Loubs!

All you need is LOVE: is David Dixon Dead On?

Desperately Seeking Something is what Toronto does best. And in this issue of the Busy Bee I am buzzing for what's hot pre-fashion week. I don't care what anybody says, sometimes Toronto doesn't do it best, people! Now I hate to start off as the frenemy, but honestly, my friends. Having come from Montreal, it's true that Toronto lacks that hot fervour, warmth and fashion passion I've seen in so many other cities. So I'm here to inject some pomp and circumstance to our comfortably cliche town. So let's start with... the opening of fashion week...the opening designer: DAVID DIXON.

Question is: Will David Dixon be Dead On this year?

• Definition of Dead On: it's so right, it stops you dead in your tracks/freeze frame/pulse of lightening that shocks you with goodness/mini death/right on, dude!/high five zinger
  
• Conclusion of Dead On: it's what my Toronto wants.

Back to David Dixon Being Dead on....
Some fast facts on the Dix:

1. Born in Toronto
2. went to ryerson
3. apprenticed with Alfred Sung
4. outsung sung when he opened his own line, the David Dixon label.
   
5. evolution over revolution. emerging over radical change. elegance. femininity. colour and texture first. simplified silhouettes. luxury meets functional. fantasy meets sensibility.
6. designed for Pammy Anderson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paul Gross, Meg Ryan (big whoop)
7. named City of Toronto New Designer of the Year and City of Toronto Designer of the Year (2000-2001)
   

PAY ATTENTION:
David Dixon is focusing his new collection inspired by Barbie for Fall/Winter 2009!

That is VERY EXCITING. Mkay. I will be chatting with him backstage and have front row seats to his show I will let you know if DAVID DIXON is DEAD ON with the help of Barbie. Let's hope so as he's opening Toronto Fashion Week 09!

OHL WEEKEND

This weekend was all about the OHL wrapping up their regular season as they warm up for playoff time. I host a hockey sports show all about it on RogersTV, called Sportszone Live.


The Brampton Battalion and their Peel Regions rivals - the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, had a double header this weekend going toe-to-toe. The Majors beat the Troops Friday night for the 1st time in 7 contests. But Sunday the Battalion put the Majors back to where they belong and dominated once again. The Battalion hail hockey phenoms Cody Hodgson (leading point scorer in World Juniors Nationals, bringing home the 5th Consecutive Canadian Gold Medal) Matt Duchene (won 4 international Gold Medals, a true stick-wizard and eligible for 2010 NHL Draft) and Evgeny Grachev (leading point scorer in the OHL, drafted to New York Rangers, played for Team Russia in the Nationals 2008)


After the game yesterday I was able to catch up with Grachie and Matt Duchene for a quick rundown on their career winning years, the playoffs and what it will take for them to be regular NHL'ers.

I will be posting the interview when it's avail.

LOVES EVERY MINUTE OF IT...

I'm gearing up for FASHION WEEK. Let's face it, no matter what the current economic condition, all the world's still a stage baby. As Fashion Week sweeps through NYC, Landan and cherie Paris, touchdown time in Tdot fast approaches.


“This is a year to celebrate a strong history and a promising future. I am proud of the unprecedented exposure and focus on the designers that found a voice at Fashion Week over the last 10 years and the unyielding support of our sponsors both old and new. ” Thanks Robin Kay! (President Fashion Design Council of Canada, Executive Director LG Fashion Week.)




I Love Fashion Week! I will be there from March 16th-March 21st covering Toronto's 10th Year LG Fashion Week – SHOW LOVE! Oh gesh, there will be over 40 runways shows, networking events, cocktail par-tehs, and the opening of The Market, an exclusive buyer market open three days during Fashion Week from 9:00am -1:00pm featuring accessories, men’s wear and women’s wear.

Can't wait!

What the R!?

Recessionista girl. Oh m'lady. You know you're tasting history when the news is knocking down every doorstep. Can't escape it. We're in deep here. Even models & bottles are being crushed by one big credit crunch. Ouch.




The glorifed life has reached it peak and the trough downward brings us back to our roots. We're all just multi-tasking gals taking it one deadline at a time. At least we can still do it in heels.



Asides from doing my entertainment/hosting/acting... I am an assistant to a couple of star-brokers on Bay Street and absolutely love it. But theses markets- wow- another week of Lions and Tigers, ALL BEARS, oh my! I mean, GE closed at 6.66 today. This is a bad sign. Unless of course, you're into heavy metal.